powerstore and the extensions library

I realize that some of the questions I have been asking are probably extremely basic to those familiar with developing dynamic sites using PHP on a regular basis. Since this is the first time we have needed to integrate an online store, it is all new to us and we are having to learn on the fly. So I do apologize for the basic nature of my questions. I am wondering if subscribing to the extensions library would make a big difference in our case? Would the extensions (like menu writer?) simplify the process for things like modifying the drop down menu background boxes etc? Or would I still need to do these in the css file and other things in PHP? How much do the extensions help expedite the modification of the powerstore template?

I know that much of the template was created using these extensions, but how much are the extensions used for the purpose of modification? Maybe we could use my drop down menu modification (font size and/or background box of the drop down) as an example. What would I be doing in dreamweaver using that extension--if anything?

Would it make my life (work) ten times easier to subscribe, or just 2 times easier?